Tonya Teske (The 2 of Spades, Idaho)

This episode of The Deck revisits the 1997 murder of 18-year-old Tanya Teske, a free-spirited hitchhiker whose body was discovered on a highway ramp in Yukon, Idaho, on August 15, 1997. Despite extensive investigation, her cause of death remains undetermined, complicated by the bizarre discovery that her head and left arm showed signs of decomposition up to 40 hours earlier than the rest of her body—suggesting she may have been in a hot tub or heated environment post-mortem. The case has been haunted by inconsistencies, including conflicting accounts from trucker David Lord, who claimed to have dropped Tanya off at a Montana lodge, and the subsequent discovery of her clothing in Utah, Montana, and Idaho—along with a denim jacket later confirmed to belong to her. A 2021 art tribute by Boise State professor Lily Lee reignited interest, leading to new forensic testing that revealed partial DNA on her body from multiple individuals. The episode highlights unresolved questions about David Lord, Franklin James, and Douglas Shoemate, all linked to the Shotgun Village area in Idaho, where Tanya’s belongings were found. Authorities continue to seek public tips, especially from anyone who saw her between August 10–14, 1997, or witnessed her entering another semi-truck near Big Sky, Montana.